BCHL 1st Round Playoffs: Game 5 West Kelowna 7 Vernon 2

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior mens hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family members that played Junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 and missed 5 home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. I'm not a journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I do this blog as a hobby and in my own personal time. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 2.1 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch tonight's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views from tonight's hockey game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own opinion on the hockey game. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Game 5 Vipers-Warriors playoff game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 7-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 1,478 fans at Royal LePage Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
West Kelowna Warriors: Johnny Derrick

1st Period: The Vipers got off to a good start, carried the play early but unable to create or generate much offence. The Warriors needed three or four minutes to get their legs going and slowly took over the edge in play. The Snakes lead 1-0 in shots before the Warriors were quickly ahead outshooting Vernon 6-1 five minutes into the opening frame. Just past the halfway mark, shots were 9-3 West Kelowna. Both teams had troubles generating chances. With 7:40 left in the period, Christophe Farmer would outhustle his defender to go in for the breakaway. Ayden Third hustled back before making a solid defensive play to break up Farmer's breakaway. Farmer managed to still keep control of the puck, setup former Vernon Vipers forward Elan Bar-Lev-Wise who was all alone in the slot, Bar-Lev-Wise would be denied by Ethan David, who made a large save off a point blank shot, on the games first quality chance of the evening. One minute later, a Warriors forward was hit from behind along the end wall, as both officials didn't see the hit, the play continued on, The puck was thrown out front to Zack Tonelli who would be stopped by Johnny Derrick at the side of the goal. One minute later, the Vipers sprung Matthew Culling in for the breakaway. Culling tried to go fivehole but Johnny Derrick closed the pads, making a big stop keeping this game scoreless. With two and a half minutes left in the period, Ryan Shostak's shot went up and over Johnny Derrick and landed on top of the net and bounced over. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers with a good start, had some early pressure but couldn't generate any opportunities. With only one shot and several good shifts, that's all the Snakes could muster until the final four or five minutes, where they played well down the stretch. The Warriors seemed to turn the tables and slowly gain some momentum and take over the edge in play. WK was the better team for most of the period, carried the better of the play, had a lot of puck possession, zone time, shots on goal but didn't get a lot of quality chances. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 10-8.

2nd Period: Just over a minute into the period, Felix Trudeau with a very good look/opportunity couldn't solve Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David. Shortly after Viper forward/captain JoJo Tanaka-Campbell fired the puck up the middle of the ice, from behind the goal line, landing on the stick of Chase Dafoe who wired a rocket of a shot past Ethan David, giving West Kelowna an early 1-0 lead at 1:43 Chase Dafoe's goal was unassisted. A brutal turnover/mistake from the Viper captain who had his head down the whole way to the bench. The Vipers with a good push back shift right after the goal. Ryan Shostak would get a great look/opportunity in close, but denied by West Kelowna Warriors netminder Johnny Derrick. On the following play, the Tribe setup Felix Trudeau on the odd man rush, but Trudeau was stopped by Ethan David. Several minutes later, the Snakes couldn't clear the zone, allowing Nick Roukounakis to shoot/beat Ethan David but not the goal post as the puck come straight back out front, where Brennan Nelson wired home the rebound, giving West Kelowna a 2-0 lead at 7:34 Nick Roukounakis with the lone assist. Nick Roukounakis was giving it to Ethan David after the goal as the two were exchanging words. 1:11 later, Charles-Alexis Legault with a shifty move, beat Ethan David, giving West Kelowna a quick 3-0 lead at 8:45 Felix Trudeau & Elan Bar-Lev-Wise collected the helpers. 1:22 later Luke Pakulak thought he scored and got the Vipers on the scoreboard, but as the Snakes were celebrating the goal was waived off by the officials. The PA announcer said the goal was waived off due to contact with the goaltender. Shortly after, Riley Sharun stepped across the circle, beating Ethan David ringing a shot off the post. West Kelowna was outshooting Vernon 10-3 at this point. With about six and a half minutes remaining, the Snakes would get the games first power play. Vernon would get a ton of chances in and around the crease on several goal mouth scrambles, couldn't buy a goal. The Warriors blocked two or three shots got some solid goaltending from Johnny Derrick as Vernon couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. With just over three minutes left in the 1st period, Griffen Barr crosschecked a player to the ice, before hitting him two more times while down on the ice, sending WK to their first PP of the evening. Felix Trudeau with a quick shot from the circle, early into the man advantage beat Ethan David but not the post. The Tribe had some looks, couldn't capitalize with the power play. Inside the final minute, Ryan Shostak on a partial breakaway would be denied by Johnny Derrick. It was 3-0 West Kelowna after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors were the better team and totally outplayed Vernon for most of the 2nd period. WK had lots of zone time, a ton of puck possession, had lots of good looks/quality chances were all over the Snakes. The Tribe capitalized on some of their chances and the Vipers didn't. This is why it was 3-0. Vernon saw a lot of the period in their own end, had troubles getting into the offensive zone, didn't get much pressure or zone time through out the period. The Vipers only chances and pressure with the puck come on their lone power play. At this point in the hockey game, juding both teams, their records and how much better West Kelowna is, this game was basically over after the 2nd period. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 15-11.

3rd Period: Inside the opening minute, Reagan Milburn went after Tyler Cristal. I didn't see what happened but did see Milburn jump Cristal, throw a punch or two before tackling Cristal to the ice. Both players were sent to the penalty box. On the following shift, Ryan Shostak with a chance at the side of the goal, would be denied by Johnny Derrick. On the following play, Vernon would get an early power play. The Vipers with some good looks early, had a strong start to the man advantage, before Ryan Shostak finally found the back of the net, getting the Snakes on the board, cutting West Kelowna's lead to 3-1 at 2:51 Nicholas Kent with the lone assist. Just before the midway mark, Felix Trudeau gave West Kelowna a 4-1 lead at 8:50 Christophe Farmer picked up the assist. Twenty seven seconds later, Marcus Joughin gave West Kelowna a commanding 5-1 lead at 9:17 Nick Roukounakis & Brennan Nelson with the helpers. Two and a half minutes later, the Vipers would get their third PP of the hockey game. JoJo Tanaka-Campbell with a quality chance in front, couldn't lift the puck up and over Johnny Derrick's pad. The Snakes with a flurry of chances at the top of the crease, couldn't solve Johnny Derrick who was solid between the pipes. A quick shot from the top of the crease, looked to beat Johnny Derrick, hit the back of the net before coming right back out. As the Vipers thought they scored on the PP the referee at the side of the net, waived the goal off as the play continued. West Kelowna would kill off the penalty and on the next stopage in play, no complaints from the Vipers as it remained 5-1 Warriors. Just less then a minute later, Zack Tonelli was able to sneak one past Johnny Derrick to cut West Kelowna's lead to 5-2 at 14:27 Ayden Third picked up the assist. About a minute later, Reagan Milburn would be denied at the side of the goal after Johnny Derrick come across the blue paint, to make the quick reaction save. With just over two minutes left in the contest, the Vipers would get Ethan David to the bench for the extra attacker. WK attempted a shot from their own end, missed the open net on an icing call before John Evans on his birthday, hit the open cage, giving West Kelowna a 6-2 lead at 18:25 Tyson Jugnauth collected the assist. Fourteen seconds later, Riley Sharun poured salt into the open wound, giving West Kelowna a 7-2 lead at 18:39 Dylan Brooks with the helper. Inside the final minute of play, Ryan Shostak would be denied on a quality chance. In the dying seconds, Matthew Culling was engaged with Tyson Jugnauth as the two exchaned words and a few crosschecks as another Vernon player joined the scrum as the officials quickly broke things up just as the buzzer sounded. The West Kelowna Warriors beat the visiting Vernon Vipers 7-2 in Game 5 to win the best of seven series 4-1 and advance to the 2nd round of the BC Hockey League playoffs. Both teams lined up and shook hands at centre ice. Former Viper Elan Bar-Lev-Wise lead the lineup for the Tribe, spent several moments hugging and talking to former team mates. Bar-Lev-Wise was an "AP" with the Vipers during the 2017-18 season and played parts of two seasons in Vernon from 2018-2020 before being traded to West Kelowna. The Vipers were the better team, carried the better of the play, had several opportunities, battled and competed in the final period of the 2021-22 season. Nothing seemed to go in for Vernon, while at the other end whatever West Kelowna put on goal, seemed to go in. The Vipers couldn't catch a break or get a lucky bounce as Johnny Derrick was solid between the pipes. The Warriors with four 3rd period goals, put the game away. WK got some shot blocks, solid defensive play and strong goaltending in the 3rd. When the game was out of reach and the season coming to an end, there was no quit from the Vipers. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 14-13.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Ayden Third (1 assist) I thought was one of the Vipers better players during this series. Really come into his own late in the regular season and seemed to blossom in the playoffs. Was Vernon's best defenceman in the playoffs and played a heck of a game in the loss this evening.

Ryan Shostak (1 goal) I thought played very well, had several looks/chances.

Zack Tonelli (1 goal) Played with a lot of jump/energy, had some looks and opportunities. 

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

In a game they needed to win to keep their season alive, the Vipers were outplayed most of the hockey game. I liked Vernon's start and finish of the 1st period, thought they were badly outplayed in the 2nd period, gave up three goals, didn't quit and put everything on the line in the final period of the season and gave it their all. Did the Warriors maybe take their foot of the gas and sit back? Sure you could say that but the Snakes were the better team in the 3rd, carried a lot of the play, had several quality chances but couldn't solve Johnny Derrick. The Vipers had lots of quality chances through out the game, couldn't capitalize on those opportunities. Vernon has had troubles scoring all season and it showed again tonight. The Snakes lacked a goal proven goal scorer. Cameron MacDonald and Luke Buss were probally the Vipers most offensive and skilled players but not the proven goal scorer you need. How many times have turnovers or coughing up pucks cost the Vipers a goal or a hockey game this season? Anthony Cliche turns over the puck in Game 4 to allow the Warriors to open the scoring and JoJo Tanaka-Campbell does the same thing tonight. I don't think many fans had picked the Vipers to win this series or even win a game as West Kelowna is a much better and more skilled team. Vernon just doesn't have the team to compete vs teams like West Kelowna. After not being able to attend Viper games last season, fans were finally allowed back in arena's this year. It was great to be back in the arena and being able to watch Viper games live this season. A spotted several Viper fans in attendance. Looking back at this season and what a season it was. I think most Viper fans will tell you this season was very dissapointing. Heading into the 2021-22 season the Vipers had seventeen players returning from last season and hopes were high. This season was a season of ups and downs, inconsistency, struggles, lengthy losing streaks and lengthy winning streaks, injuries and COVID. The first half of the season the Vipers were brutal, one of the worst Vernon teams I have seen in all of my years of watching Junior hockey in Vernon. The Vipers had one win in ten games in the month of November. From October 28th-January 2nd the Vipers had four wins in twenty two games. Between these dates, no changes were made until the Vipers made two seperate trades on November 29th and November 30th with Prince George & Merritt. Not only my frustration but most fans frustrations were why wasn't a coaching change or trades made a long time before these two trades? Why did the Vipers wait so long to make changes when the team was very dismal? Then the turn around. The Vipers make some moves at the BCHL trade deadline that improve the team and they go on a nine game winning streak. The Snakes were a much different team in the second half of the season. The Vipers went 6-27 from October 8th-January 2nd and went 20-7 from January 14th-March 23rd. I think it's time for a coaching change. I personally don't think Jason McKee is a good coach and his three seasons in Vernon show that. I'm not the only fan that thinks this. Most Viper fans want a coaching change and I know several long time season ticket holders who won't be back next season unless a coaching change is made. In three seasons with the Vipers, McKee has put together average teams at most that have been mostly very inconsistent and finished in and around some games over 500. In 2019-20 McKee and the Vipers finished 5th with a 30-24-2-2 record, In 2020-21 Pod season the Vipers finished 1st out of three teams with a 13-5-1-1 record and this season finished 6th with a 27-20-4-3 record. That's not good enough and changes are needed. I also look at McKee's teams and he hasn't put together a great roster in each of his three seasons. His recruiting hasn't been the greatest and a lot of his recruits were either cut during training camp or traded during the season. Just watching the Vipers play game in and game out, McKee's teams still make the same mistakes they were making at the start of each season. His teams have been very inconsistent. The Vipers ownership and management better put together a much better team for next season. I know lot's of long time season ticket holders that were on the fence about renewing their season tickets for next season. 

Vernon Vipers player's who won't be back next season,

Reagan Milburn
Jack Glen
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell
JoJo Tanaka-Campbell
Matthew Culling
Cameron MacDonald
Ryan Shostak
Zack Tonelli
Cade McNelly
Talon Zakall
Nicholas Kent

Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors

Charles-Alexis Legault (1 goal) I have said it almost after every game this series. This kid is a very good defenceman, has size, can move the puck, can skate, plays well at both ends, and hard to play against, played very well in the win tonight.

Felix Trudeau (1 goal & 1 assist) Had his best game of the series. Was hard to defend and play against. Seems to be in the right place at the right time. Has a wicked shot, can skate and always buzzing in and around the goal.

Brennan Nelson (1 goal & 1 assist) Played with a lot of pace, energy and attack. Was good all game.

Nick Roukounakis (2 assists) Played with an edge, was in the face of several Vipers tonight, was physical, hard to play against and competed.

Tyson Jugnauth (1 assist) Had a nice game with one assist. A very smooth skater, can skate, move the puck up ice.

Johnny Derrick (34 saves) The former Viper goaltender played very well through out the series. The Warriors were by far the better team but I think if West Kelowna has an average goaltender, some of these games may have been a little closer or even maybe go the other way. Derrick was solid between the pipes tonight, making several big stops. 

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

The Warriors were the better team in the regular season and in the playoffs. West Kelowna was no match for the Vipers. The Tribe have size, skill, speed, a good defence, solid goaltending, a good coach and a team built for the playoffs. This is probably the best Warriors team I have seen since they won the Royal Bank Cup in 2016. WK outplayed Vernon for most of the night, minus the 3rd period in a period where the score was basically already out of reach. The Warriors seem to come down the ice, one shot and it's in the back of the net. This team can hurt you offensively. The Tribe scored two goals 1:11 apart in the 2nd period and two goals twenty seven seconds part in the 3rd and thirty seconds apart in the 3rd. West Kelowna blocked a lot of shots tonight, also got sticks in the way, didn't give Vernon clear lanes to the front of the net. The Warriors made the Snakes pay and work for their goals as none of Vernon's goals were easy. West Kelowna went 4-1 vs Vernon during the regular season and now 5-1 in the playoffs. The Warriors advance past the 1st round of the playoffs for the first time since winning the RBC Cup in 2016. West Kelowna doesn't know who they will face in the 2nd round. A great crowd on hand tonight (sellout). 

On a final note, I would like to thank everyone who is either new to this blog or is a regular on this blog. Thank you, thank you the fans who support and visit my blog. Without you the fans, this blog wouldn't happen. This blog is a hobby and I do this blog in my own personal time. I'm a long time season ticket holder that has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. I give my comments, thought's and views on the Vipers through out the season. Some fans agree with me, others dont. Every fan or person see's things differently. I really enjoy doing this blog and reading the comments from other fans and getting their thought's and views on the Vipers and the games. This is a place where Viper fans can go to get all the team news, the inside scoop on the team and a place for fans to chat and talk hockey through out the season. So thank you all for visiting my blog and I hope you continue to visit it as I always have Vipers news, alumni news and more through out the summer. Until next season, thank you! 

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Cade McNelly (Suspended)
Liam Cavan (Injured)
Max Borovinisky (Injured)
Tyler Chan

West Kelowna Warriors:

Pat Lawn
Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero
Cameron Hicklin

Three Star's:

1st Star: Felix Trudeau (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Nick Roukounakis (2 assists)
3rd Star: Johnny Derrick (34 saves)

Energy Player of the Game:

Brennan Nelson (1 goal & 1 assist)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

| BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,

Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com (hockeytech.com)

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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Warriors game.